A total of 2n people, consisting of nmarried couples, are randomly seated (all possible orderings being equally likely) at a round table. Let CIdenote the event that the members of couple iare seated next to each other,i=1,...,n.

(a) Find PCi

(b)For ji, find PCjCi

(c) Approximate the probability, for nlarge, that there are no married couples who are seated next to each other.

Short Answer

Expert verified

(a) PCi=22n-1

(b)PCjCi=22n-2

(c) The required probabilityP(X=0)=e-λe-1

Step by step solution

01

Step 1:Given information(part a)

Given in the question that,

A total number of people 2n

Married Couplesn

We have to find PCi.

02

Explanation (Part a)

From the combinatorics, we have that there are (2n-1)!total ways of seating.

Assume that the couple ihas been seated somewhere.

Then, we have the remaining (2n-2)people and we can set them on (2n-2)!ways, also, we can alternate them on 2!ways.

Hence

PCi=2!·(2n-2)!(2n-1)!=22n-1

03

Final answer (Part a)

PCi=22n-1

04

Given information (part b)

Total Number of people 2n

Number of married couplesn

We have to determinePCjCi

05

Explanation (Part b)

Assume that pair iand jsit together.

So, they can sit on 2!·2!·(2n-3)!ways.

Hence

PCjCi=PCj,CiPCi=2!·2!·(2n-3)!(2n-1)!22n-1=22n-2

06

Final answer (Part b)

PCjCi=22n-2

07

Given information (part c)

A total number of people 2n

Married Couples n

CIdenote the event that the members of couple iare seated next to each other

We need to approximate the probability, for nlarge, that there are no married couples who are seated next to each other.

08

Explanation (Part c)

The probability that some couple sits to each other is1-PCi=2n-32n-1.

Define Xas the random variable that marks the number of couples that do not sit to each other.

Using Poisson approximation, we have that X~Pois((2n-3)/(2n-1)).

For very large n, the required probability isP(X=0)=e-λe-1

since limnλ=1

09

Final answer (Part c)

The required probability is

P(X=0)=e-λe-1

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If the distribution function of Xis given by

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